when you wish upon a grape

I think that God is so merciful that often he acknowledges our childlike wishes and silent prayers, simply because he loves us.

This was evidenced to me yesterday, when, just for an evening, I got to be an orchestra teacher with my very own group of string players.

It just so happens that between the ages of 13 and 18, there are four violinists, two violists, two cellists, and a double bassist in my current congregation at church. Just the right number for a small but balanced string orchestra. And, it just so happened that there was a district-wide meeting planned for youth 12 to 18 on January 16, and I was asked to organize an instrumental musical number for that event.

Dream come true? I think so. Last month I excitedly arranged a children's hymn for five string parts (with our congregation's talents in mind), then contacted the kids about participation and rehearsals. It all came together beautifully last night as I dusted off my old conducting baton from Professor Schleicher and led the Cedar Rapids 2nd Ward Orchestra through our two-minute musical offering.

Langston Hughes once asked: "What happens to a dream deferred?" I think maybe it depends on the dream. Is it alright for some dreams to be deferred as we prioritize other dreams (like stay-at-home-motherhood)? I think, sometimes maybe it is alright. A sun-dried raisin is, after all, sweeter than the original fresh grape.